New Delhi [India], November 23 (ANI): Ryo Hisatsune was a comparatively unknown golfer from Japan simply over a 12 months in the past. But come subsequent season, the 21-year-old can have alternatives to go toe-to-toe in opposition to the planet’s greatest golfers on the PGA TOUR on a weekly foundation.
Hisatsune turned the primary Asian golfer on Sunday to profit from the strategic partnership between the World Tour and PGA TOUR when he earned his PGA TOUR card together with 9 others by the Race to Dubai Rankings.
“My stomach has been in knots playing these last few weeks, but knowing I’ve secured my status makes me extremely happy, and I’m really looking to next year,” mentioned the ever-smiling Hisatsune. “This has only opened the door and it’s up to me to take advantage of the opportunity but for now, I’m just really happy.”In the season-ending Tour Championship in Dubai, Hisatsune completed tied 18th to seal the final and tenth out there PGA TOUR card for gamers not in any other case exempt. Throughout the ultimate day, he moved out and in of the Top 10 bracket however finally completed 27 factors forward of Rasmus Hojgaard, whose twin brother Nicolai received the ultimate event of the World Tour season by two strokes. Other gamers who earned twin memberships on the PGA TOUR embrace Adrian Meronk (Pol), Ryan Fox (Nzl), Victor Perez (Fra), Thorbjorn Olesen (Den), Alexander Bjork (Swe), Sami Valimaki (Fin), Robert MacIntyre (Sco), Matthieu Pavon (Fra) and Jorge Campillo (Esp).
Hisatsune’s pleasure was for all to see on Sunday as he maintained his meteoric rise the place solely two years in the past, he was enjoying on the Abema Tour, which is the secondary circuit in his dwelling nation. He received thrice then to safe enjoying rights on the Japan Golf Tour in 2022 and on the finish of final 12 months, he signed up for the DP World Tour Qualifying School and completed tied seventh.
It proved to be the beginning of a powerful run of golf for the younger Japanese as he completed runner-up in his first DP World Tour begin on the Australian PGA Championship, which was one among eight top-10s gathered this season. The spotlight got here in September when he stunningly received the Cazoo Open de France, changing into solely the third Japanese golfer in historical past after Isao Aoki and Hideki Matsuyama to triumph on the DP World Tour. He has now set his sights on profitable on the PGA TOUR.
“I want to put in the work to ultimately win on the PGA TOUR,” mentioned Hisatsune. “I want to follow in the footsteps of Hideki and become a player who can win major championships. There are so many events that I’m looking forward to playing in. I remember watching Hideki play on the PGA TOUR and I’ve always wanted to play on the PGA TOUR too and thinking about how that may become a reality. I’m beyond happy and I just really want to work hard and play my best next year.”While Hisatsune plans to arrange his base in Florida because the likes of Matsuyama and Satoshi Kodaira, who can also be a winner on the PGA TOUR, dwell within the Sunshine State, he’ll all the time bear in mind his roots which gave him the chance to advance his golf profession. “During my rookie season on the Abema Tour, I was able to win three titles, which moved me up right away to secure my (Japan Golf Tour) card. That was huge. Then, my career transitioned to the DP World Tour and I’ve been able to progress nicely. From that regard, my professional career has beenfilled with lots of great memories,” he mentioned.
“My game stood up to challenges that the golf courses (on the DP World Tour) provided. I’ve been able to put up some good results, which gave me confidence. I thought I was going to struggle more but I found myself really enjoying being in contention. In that sense, I’ve surprised myself a lot.”Hisatsune may very properly shock many others on the PGA TOUR in 2024. (ANI)